Frequently Asked Questions
Just as you would expect a swimming coach to have a solid background in swimming, or a hockey coach to have a solid background in hockey, we do expect applicants to the program will have a solid background in canine conditioning before applying to the CPCFT program. Part of the application process involves submitting a video demonstrating a variety of skills. When we assess that video, we are looking for appropriate form from both the handler and the dog, a focus on safety (in terms of the environment, the exercises, and any equipment used), and how the handler works with the dog. Having this expectation in place allows us to use the time we have to focus on advanced knowledge and skill development.
The application consists of a series of questions designed to give us a chance to learn about you so that we can choose the best possible candidates for each cohort. It includes questions on your experience working with dogs, any conditioning experience, your training philosophy, and your comfort level with technology. You will also be asked to submit a short video demonstrating your skills, and have the opportunity to tell us anything else about yourself that you feel we should know.
A split payment option is not available at this time. However, applicants are able to apply up to four months in advance for the program and reserve their spot with a $500 deposit, which allows a great deal of time to arrange finances before the final payment of $2400 is due.
We recognize that, while people may be passionate about canine conditioning, not everyone has the funds necessary to pursue their passion. We are now offering a limited number of scholarships to applicants who are experiencing financial hardship, including (but not limited to) people living in areas of conflict, recent immigrants, people living in countries that are experiencing a currency crisis, underserved communities, marginalized communities, etc.
The total number of scholarships offered depends on the amount of funds scholarship applicants request – for example, we may fund one scholarship per cohort at 100%, OR two scholarships at 50%, OR four scholarships at 25% etc.
To find out more about the scholarship opportunities, as you complete the application process, when you are given the option of choosing which program you would like to apply through, please choose “CPCFT Program Application (Scholarship)”.
The CPCFT program places an emphasis on student understanding and skill building, and we recognize it takes time for the learner to process and integrate the concepts we are going to be introducing. Instead of rushing students through the process, potentially building upon a shaky foundation, we have thoughtfully and intentionally broken our lecture series into four separate units with consolidation periods in between to ensure you get the time and attention you need to process, apply, and integrate all information. This approach ensures graduates will be able to move forward with confidence, and effectively apply the concepts learned to dog/handler teams in the real world.
In addition to our obvious passion for working with dogs, we are also all passionate about sharing our knowledge with others. We appreciate and celebrate diversity, and have worked hard to create a product that reflects our current understanding of the needs of our diverse audience. With this in mind, we have put multiple supports in place. These include…
A. Educational software such as Quizlet to provide you with additional tools for learning material.
B. Increased visual content, including photos, diagrams, and videos.
C. We have reorganized the material so it is easy to access specific units, chapters, and topics without having to scan extensive amounts of unrelated material.
D. Differentiated instruction is offered at various points throughout the course, in both the content and the homework.
E. The use of Google Classroom as a Learning Management System. Google Classroom is used in education systems throughout the world, in large part due to the intuitive features and ease of access for people of all ages and abilities.
As you work your way through the course, if you have suggestions for additional accommodations that you feel would be beneficial, please feel free to drop us an email or reach out to your instructor.
Graduates in good standing will have ongoing access to the curriculum materials for a full year after receiving their certification.
Enrolling in the CPCFT program is a commitment. Since enrolment is restricted to ensure a low student teacher ratio, enrolling one student means another student is excluded. But emergencies do happen, and we will consider each one on a case-by-case basis following a formal application for extension, and appropriate documentation. A maximum 1 year extension will be applied to all approved cases across the board.
No discount is currently offered. Since we are implementing an application process, and are able to screen students to select those most likely to be successful, the vast majority of students will have some experience in the field.
Current CPCFTs will be offered the option of an auditing spot, at a significantly reduced price of $500. They will have access to the Google Classroom, interactive learning resources, the Padlets, and all educational materials during the course and for a full year after the course finishes. If you are a CPCFT, please continue to watch this page and the CPCFT Facebook page for registration information.
Continuing education is not going to be a requirement, but we anticipate offering a CPCFT 2 course in the future.
We have not yet set a date for the CPCFT program release, and are still compiling curriculum materials. Given the workload the revised CPCFT 1 program required, we are looking at 2025.